Acetylene-gas generator.



Patented Apr. I, |902.

F. SIMONSUN. ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application med 13311.20, 1899. Renewed oct. s, 1901.)

4 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

@wi/Www m Kw1 S'vmnwmn mofauwo., WASHINGTON D c N0. 696,765. PatentedApr. l, |902. F. SIMUNSON.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR. (Application led Dec. 20, 1899. Renewed Det. 3, 1901.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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N0. 696,765. Patented Apr, I, |902. F. SIMUNSON. AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR. (Application filed Dec. 20, 1899. Renewed Oct. 3, 1901.)

#Sheets-Sheet 3.

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No. 696,765. Patented Apr. I, |902.

F. SIMNSUN.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATUR.

(Application :filed4 Dec. 20, 1899. Renewed Oct. 3, 1901.) (Nn Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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FLAVEL SIMONSON, OF STERLING, ILLINOIS.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION formingpart f Letters Patent No. 696,765, dated April 1, 1902. Application filed December 20,1899. Renewed October 3, 1901. Serial No. 77,451. (No model.)

,ful Improvements in Acetylene-Gas Generators, of which the following is a specification. The object of my invention is to make a machine or apparatus for the generation of what is known as acetylene gas which will be adapted for use in dwelling-houses, factories, and other isolated places and in which the calcium carbid used in the generation of such gas may be used, Whether in lump or powdered condition, Without requiring special knowledge or skill on the part of the person in charge of the generator, so that no evil or undesired results need be apprehended from mistakes or carelessness; and my invention or improvements consist in the features and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View, in sectional elevation, of my improved gas generating apparatus shown broken away to disclose the interior construction and to show the generator-bell partially withdrawn from its normal rotative position; Fig. 2, a sectional view of the gasometer and gas-generating apparatus; Fig. 3, a vertical section taken on the irregular line 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a detail View of the bearing for the main shaft used to impart rotation to the generator-bell; Fig. 5, an enlarged detail central section taken through one side4 of the gasgenerating apparatus; Fig. (i, a sectional View taken on line 4 ot' Fig. 5; Fig. 7, a perspective viewof a carbid-holder and its supporting and directing well with the triggered latch for supporting the carbid-holder until it is to be released; Fig. 8, an enlarged fragment in perspective showing a portion of the generator-bellcasingand the air-ventingliue; Fig. 9, a side View of the gasometer, showing the mechanism for translating the vertical movement of the gasometer-bell into a rotary movement for turning or revolving the generatorbell; Fig. l0, a perspective detail View of the means or mechanism by which such translation is effected; Fig. 1l, a top view of the bell-locking arm and main driving-shaft lwhich rotates the generator-bell;` Fig. l2, a

detail central section of the generatonbell,

hub, and driving shaft and connections and a side view of the bell-locking arm; Fig. 13, a plan View of a fragment of casing of the gas-generating chamber and, carbid-holders and supporting and directing Wells in which I illustrate a modified form of means for releasably supporting the carbid-holders; Fig. 14, a vertical section through a supporting and directing well and carbid-holder, illustrating the modified means for maintaining the carbid-holder in place until it is desired to release it; Fig. 15, an exterior side elevation of the modified form of supporting and directing well, showing a slot in its side in which the trigger-arm is intended to work; and Figs. 16 and 17 illustrate still another modified form for supporting the carbidholders in their wells until it is desired to release them.

In making my improved gasgenerating device I employ a gasometer, comprising a body portion or main receptacle A, intended to contain Water, and a bell portion B, telescopically mounted Within the body portion and adapted to slide or move partially u p and down as the quantity of the gas contained in the same Varies from time to time. In these respects the gasometer may be of the usual construction.

The gasometer is supplied with gas from my improved gas-generator by a pipe C, located between the gasometer and generator, which pipe at one end enters the outer casing of the generator and has connection with the gas-ed'uction pipe C', which leads from the gas-space of the generating chamber above the body of Water therein. The other end of the pipe C enters a chamber C2 in the bottom of the gasometer, from which chamber a gas-eduction pipe C3 leads to the gasreeeiving space beneath the gasometer-bell above the body of water in the gasometer. The generated gas iiows from the gas-space of the generator through the eduction-pipe C and connecting-pipe C into the chamber C2, and from thence through the pipe O3 to the receiving-space beneath the gasometer-bell to pass out from the gasometer-bell through the eduction-pipe B3 to the point of consumption or combustion.

My generating apparatus comprises an outer casing D, which may be made of any IOO desired size as to height and diameter. It is of course made of suitable metal, but preferably of galvanized sheet-iron. I also arrange an inner casing D within the gas-generating apparatus, and between the outer and inner vcasin gs I arrange a generator-bell D2, adapted space above the inner casing and inclosed by the generator-bell forms a gas-chamber D3, in which thecarbid-holders are stored above the surface of the water before the carbid is converted into gas and from which the gas as it is generated is conveyed to the gasometer. This gas or storage chamber is annular in form, and its inner Wall is formed by a -cylindrical-partition D4, which depends from the top of the bell into the gas-generator within the inner casing. This partition is shown as cylindrical in the drawings; but I do not desire to coniine myself to any special form for it, as its form is not material to the operation of the machine.

The holders G, intended to contain the calcium carbid, are preferably cylindrical in form, as illustrated in the drawings, although I do not intend to confine myself to any particular form in cross-section. The holders should, however, have a longer vertical than transverse dimension and should be open only at'the top or upper end. The transverse dimensions of the holder should bear a proper relation to the quantity of carbid which they are intended to contain, so that when submerged, as hereinafter explained, only a desired restricted area of carbid surface will be exposed to the action of the water, and so that as the carbid is slaked and the gas generated all the residuum resulting from the slaking of the carbid will be carried out at the top of the holder with the escape of the gas, so that such residuum will be prevented from settling upon the unslaked carbid and interfering With the action of the water thereon. By employing elongated holders I yam able to use a maximum quantity of carbid while presenting only a comparatively small area of its surface at the upper end to the action of the water, so as to secure the advantages above suggested. I provide the elongated carbid-holders with a weight a at their lower ends or bottoms sufficient to hold them submerged in the water while gas is b eing generated. This weight will of course vary with the size of holders that are used, and so I will simply say that it should be sufficient to counteract the tendency of the gasas it is generated to cause the holder to rise to the surface. I arrange the carbid-holders in wells G2 of a size and shape adapted to receive them. These wells are supported in'any suitable Way, but preferably by attaching them to the top of the inner casing, so as to form a circumferential row or ring, as shown in the drawings. The wells are intended to be of a ydesired depth and so that the carbid-holders when sunk in them will be sufficiently submerged in the water. They are open both at the top and bottom; but means are employed of any desired kinds to prevent the carbid -holders from falling entirely through them and out at their bottomswhen released. As shown, a lip g is turned on the bottom of the well, against which the holder will rest. Their upper ends are intended to be covered by hinged covers G3. It is preferred that the carbidholders when placed in the wells shall have their upper ends extended slightly above the tops of the wells and that the hinged covers shall rest flatly upon the tops of the holders, so as to prevent moisture, caused by condensation or otherwise, from getting admission to the holders in injurious quantities. This will be understood from an inspection of Figs. 5 and 7 of the drawings, where the holders are shown in place in the wells with the lid down in one case and up in the other. In order to permit the guiding-wells to be all inserted and removed together as an entirety, I fasten or mount them upon the inner surface of a hoop G', which is of a size to permit it to be inserted within the casing D', on which it may rest and be held by a flange gG, as shown in Figs. l and 3. As shown, each holder has a cross-rod g at the top, by means of which and a suitable hooked rod or other means the holder can be raised from the bottom of its well.

Means must of course be employed to hold or maintain the carbid-holders in their up positions until it is desired to release them and have them submerged in the water for the generation of gas. To effect this, I provideV the wells with lateral slots g2 cut in them, as particularly shown in Fig. 15. These lateral slots g2 should be at a point far enough down in the wells to enable the carbidho1d ers to be held with their upper ends at the desired elevation. The means which I employ in connection with the lateral slot for supporting the carbid-holders in their up or stored position'are well illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7. They comprise a bearing J, illustrated in the drawings in the form of a sleeve d, arranged vertically on the outside of the Well, and a rod arranged in the bearing with a proper handle or trigger portion f, projecting out from the well, and with a linger portion c, extending into th'e lateral slot g2 in the well when the handle or trigger extends outward. The carbid-holder rests on the inwardly-projecting finger until the handle or trigger fis turned to one side, which causes the rod to rotate in its bearing until the iinger is moved out of the slot and from under the holder, upon which the holder will drop into the well. In short, the means shown in Figs. 5 and 7 for maintaining the carbidholder in its up position may be briefly de- IOO IIO

scribed as a rod arranged in a bearing on the side of the well and so bent that one end projects out, while the otherl projects into the lateral slot in the side of the well so as to receive and sustain the weight of the carbidholder, so that as the rod is rotated by pressure applied to the projecting trigger the finger will be moved out from under the carbidholder. To effect this turning, so as to permit the carbid-holder to drop into the well and to be submerged when desired, I arrange on the side of the partition Dl depending from the generator-bell a laterally-projecting member or lug K, which is carried around as the generator-bell is rotated or turnedfrom time to time. The projecting triggers f when the carbid-holders are in their up positioneritend into the path of this lateral lug, so that as it is moved around with the generator-bell it strikes against them successively and turns them the requisite distance to move the fingers e out from under the carbid-holders and permit them to drop. The projecting lug contacts against each of the triggers successively and only as the generator-bell is moved around in its partial rotations. As each carbid-holder is released it drops into the body ofwater H while still remaining in and being guided and directed by the well in which it is placed, thus maintaining it in a perpendicular position. This permits the water which fills the lower part of the well and which iows in through the lateral slot gs in its side to flow into the open top of the carbid-holder, so as to act upon the top exposed surface of the carbid and cause gas to be generated. The gas as generated passes up and through the open top of the holder and carries with it such particles of the decomposed carbid as are not converted into gas, but left asresiduum. As the top surface of the carbid is thus consumed and removed another surface is exposed, so that the operation continues Without interruption until all of the carbid in the holder has been actedupon by the water and consumed.

The generator is provided with an `inclined i bottom D5, sloping downward toward the center from the walls of the generator-casing. This permits the residuum thrown out of the carbid-holders to settle and accumulate in a mass, so that it can readily be removed in erator to secure the results that I desire that.

the triggers shallbe operated uponautomatically and only as the generation of gas is needed, so that a constant supply of gas can be maintained iu the gasometer for purposes of use and a steady flow to the point of consumption maintained. This requires that means shall be employed to cause the generator-bell to be returned or rotated by stages and at intervals determined by the quantity of gas in the gasometer, so that after the operation of the machine has been once conlmenced` it Will be continued automatically until all of the carbid-holders have been successively submerged and their contents consumed in the generation of gas. In order to effect this intermittent rotation of the generator-bell, I utilize or make use of the vertical movements of the gasometer-bell by employing means to translate or convert the vertical movements of such gasometer-bell into rotative movements of the generator-bell. In order to do this, I connect to the gasometerbell a rod L, which reciprocates therewith, which is well illustrated in Figs. 9 and l0. This rod has near its lower end a pin Zt, adapted in its downward movement to engage one armj of a bent lever L2, carrying a pawl at its free or outer end. The rod L is formed with an angle-bar, having the sides Zl and Z2 at right angles to each other. The slotk is formed in the sides Z2, and the pin h is arranged on the side Z', so that the pin crosses the arm j to secure the contact with it, as already described. The bent lever L2, through means of its pawl, is adapted to drive or rotate a ratchet-wheel L3, mounted on a counter-shaft L4, on which the bent lever is also pivoted,so that as it is rotated it imparts a rotative movement to such counter-shaft. This counter-shaft is provided with a mitergear which meshes or engages with the teeth of a ruiter-gear on the main shaft E, arranged iu the generator, the pair being indicated by the letter L5, as will appear from Figs. 3 and 4E. As, therefore, the ratchet-wheel is intermittently rotated it imparts lau intermittent rotation to the main vertical shaft E, which carries the generator-bell D2. AS

IOC)

the gasometer-bell is moved up under an 'i accumulating quantity of gas it carries the rod L up with it, and the arm j of the pawl, device, being extended through the slot 7c in the rod, is lifted or carried up, and at the same time the other end of the bent lever,with its pawl, by'which the teeth 4of the Vratchetwheel areintermittently engaged, is carried down or back, slipping over the teeth. To prevent the ratchet-Wheel from rotating backward during the above operation, I employ a IOS IIO

stop-latch Z, which engages with one of the 4 teeth ofr the ratchet-wheel, so as to prevent retrograde motion, while permitting it to be rotated forward, as desired. This stop-latch and its arrangement and operation will be well understood by an inspection of Fig. 9 of' the drawings. In this way the bent lever and pawl and ratchet-wheel are adjusted in position, so that as the bell of the gasometerdescends, owing to the consumption of thegas, the` pin h when the gasometer-bell has de-` scended to `a predetermined point contacts with the arm j of the pawl device, so as to j carry it down and at the same time carry the other end of the pawl device, with its dog n'ow in operative engagemeutwith theteeth of the ratchet-Wheel, upward or forward, so as to turn orrotate the ratchet-wheel and the counter-shaft on which it is mounted and through the mitergears, thev main generatorbell shaft, so as to impart rotation to the generator-bell. As such bell is rotated the lug K on the depending partition Dilstrikes against one of the protruding triggers f, so as to turn it and release a carbid-holder, as already explained, which, being released, sinks into the well and is submerged in the water. The generation of gas that ensues causes the bell of the gasometer to be again carried up and the arm L and the pawl-aud-ratchet device to be again moved into position to be operated by the descending bell, when the gas is sufficiently consumed to cause it in sinking to sufficiently lower the rod to again move the pawl device and the ratchet-wheel forward and release another carbid-holder, as already described, and the operation already explained is repeated. As shown, an intermediate housing or casing S is located between the gas-generator and the gasometer, which housing or casing surrounds the ratchet device for rotating the top of the gas-generator and is provided with a tube forming a guide for lthe rod L; but such casing is not a necessity and can be dispensed with.

The generator-bell D2 is open at its lower end and disposed over and about the gas-generating chamber, as already explained. In order to mount the bell so that it can be rotated,as already explained, itis provided with a central hub or boss m in the form of a tube, which extends down from the top or apex of the bell and which is open at both ends, with the upper opening, however, angular in crosssection, having a iiat face on o ne side, as will be understood from an examination of Fig. `ll. The depending tube of the hub or boss when the bell is in its down position surrounds the upper end of the main shaft E and rests upon a stationary or non-rotative sleeve 4o p, surrounding the main shaft and secured to the bottom of the outer casing, so as to permit the shaft to pass through said sleeve. This will be understood from an inspection of Figs. l and 12, where the parts just described are illustrated, except that in Fig. 12 the depending portion of the hub m is omitted and the bell allowed to rest directly upon the sleeve p. The upper end of the main shaft is cut away and made with an angular or flat face to fit the angular or attened hole in the upper end of the hub or boss, so that the two must rotate together, and thus connect the bell in rotative engagement with the main shaft. As the bell is unrestrained throughout its lower portion and the upper end of the gas-chamber under the bell is closed, there is a tendency in the generation of the gas to lift the bell upward which must be provided against and which I prevent by means of the locking-arm M, depending from an eccentric pivot which secures said arm to the main shaft, as will be understood from an examination of Fig. l2. arm thus hangs normally and by gravity in such a position that its lower end protrudes so as to hang above the top of the hub or boss m, and thus prevent the bell from being The lower end of the moved upward by the pressure of the gas. To release the bell when for` any purpose it is desired to do so, the swinging or pivoted arm is simpl y pressed in toward the main shaft until it permits the hub to pass it, when the bell may be bodily withdrawn and access to the carbid-holders and gas-chamber permitted. In this way the pressure of the gas beneath the bell provides a floating bearing, as it were, so that the bell can readily and easily be rotated without the friction that otherwise would exist. The depending partition D4, extending down from the inside of the bell, which I have already described, forms a central chamber N, surrounding and inclosing the upper portion of the main shaft. As this partition extends down into thewater no gas can pass from the generating-chamber D3 into this central chamberl surrounding the shaft. This obviates the necessity of using stuffing-boxes in the connection between the shaft and the bell, as will readily be understood from an examination of Fig. l. To prevent a compression of air in this central chamber, vents s may be employed to permit the escape of the air as the bell is being lowered into place.

In order to permit the adjustment of the gas-generator bell in position, it is necessary to provide some means to permit the air to escape from. the gas-generating chamber as the bell is lowered and to prevent the access of air to such chamber when the bell is in its down position. In order to effect this automatically, I arrange a U-shaped pipe-channel O, (shown more particularly in Figs. 6 and 8,) which channel communicates with the interior of the generating-chamber through the port u and into the outer chamber through the open end or port 1). When the bell is being adjusted in place, the channel serves as a vent for the air which is caught or inclosed in the gas-generatin g chamber, so as to permit it to escape,while when the bell is in its down position the ports 'a and c are submerged under the water, so that a water seal is secured and all escape of gas from and all entrance of air into the gas-chamber prevented. When the bell is lifted up and removed, the water entering the port fu will flow through the pipe and permit the air to follow it and enter the gas-generating chamber, so that a vacuum is prevented. This results from the fact that the atmospheric pressure exerted on the water in the pipe causes it to be siphoned out through the opening a into the gas-generating chamber, which is free from a correspond ing atmospheric pressure.

In Figs. 13, 14, and 15 of the drawings I have shown a modified form of the means em.- ployed for holding or supporting the carbidholders in their wells, which consists of arms f', hinged loosely to the inner casing and projecting across the interior of the well through the lateral slots g2 formed in them, as already described. The lateral slots must of course be of sufficient length to p'ermit the arms to IOC be sufficiently entered under the carbid-holders to support them, and the free ends of the arms f must project far enough beyond the wells to permit the lug K to strike against them and move them back out of the lateral slots to permit the holder to sink in the wells. The projection of the free end of the arm f is to be one that will produce a short engagement therewith of the lug for a distance only sufficient to move the arm and drop the holder, and then the arm can drop into the space between the wells after being moved completely out of the slot in the wall of the well.

In Figs. 16 and 17 I have shown a still further slight change in the form of the holding device, where I have located the bearing d for the trigger and linger entirely below the carbid-holders instead of above, as in Figs. 5 and 7, for instance, and in which the trigger f2 is extended atitsinner end to form a stop or finger e to lie beneath and engage the bottom of the carbid holder and sustain the `holder in its elevated position, and in order to permit the passage of the finger e' to engage the holder the wall of the well has a slot g3 for the admission of the end of the finger. It also has the bent end g5 of the finger, which strikes against the holder and which limits or stops its movement inward when turned into its supporting position.

Of course it will be understood that proper means in the nature of safety or emergency valves, such as are well known, may be used to allow the gas in the gasometer to escape after it has reached a desired or predetermined volume or pressure, so as to prevent the bell from being raised by the gas beyond a desired height. As various forms of automatic release or safety valves ordevices may be employed for this purpose, manyof which are well known and in use, I do not deem it necessary to show or describe one in connection with my present apparatus, but leave the constructor at liberty to employ such as he may prefer.

While I have described i the construction and operation of my improved acetylene-gasgenerating machine or apparatus with considerable minuteness of detail, yet I desire it to be understood that I do not propose` to limit or restrict myself to mere details of construction further than the same may be specified or called for in the claims, as I contemplate changes in form, construction, and details without, however, departing from the spirit of my invention.`

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In an acetylene-gas generator, a long and narrow carbid-holder presenting a small area in cross-section of exposed surface for the carbid and formed of an imperforate body an open top and a closed and weighted bottom, means for maintaining lthe carbid-holder in a perpendicular position with its top above the surface of the water, and means for releasing the carbid-holder and permitting it to be submerged in the water and aided in its descent and held when submerged in a vertical position by the weighted bottom, substantially as described.

2. In an acetylene-gas generator, a desired number of long and narrow carbid-holders each presenting a small area in cross-section of exposed surface for the carbid and each formed of an imperforate body an open top and a closed and weighted bottom and normally held with the open tops above a body of water contained, in the generating-chamber, and means for automatically releasing each carbid-holder to permit it to descend and be submerged in the water, whereby the waL iter enters at thetop only and acts only on a small area of exposed carbid, substantially as described.

3. In an acetylene-gas generator, a desired lnumber of long and narrow carbid-holders, each holder presentingr a small area in crosssection of exposed surface for the carbid and each formed of an imperforate body an open top and a closed and weighted bottom and normally held with the open top above the surface of a body of water in the generatingchamber, a correspondingly-shaped guidingwell for each carbid-holderin which the holder Ais received and held vertically and guided,

and means for releasing each holder fromits raised position in its well to permit it to descend and be assisted in its descent and submerged in the body of water in the generating-chamber and held in a vertical position when submerged by the weighted bottom for the admission of water at the open top only, substantially as described.

a. In an acetylene-gas generator, a desired number of long and narrow carbid-holders, each holder presenting a small area in crosssection of exposed surface for the carbid and each formed of an imperforate body an open top and a closed and weighted bottom and normally held with the open top above the surface of a body of water in the generatingchamber, a `correspondingly-shaped guidingwell for each carbid holder in which the `holder is received and held Yvertically and guided, means for supporting the` carbidholders in the wells ina raised position, `and `means for releasing the carbid-holders successively and at intervals from the raised position to permit them to descend and be as sisted in their descent and submerged in the body of water in the generating-chamber and held in a vertical position when submerged bythe weighted bottom for the admissionof water at the top of eachholder only, substantially as described.

5. In an acetylene-gas generator, a :rotatable bell, a main shaft extending up through the generator beneath the bell and on which the bell is mounted and by which it `may be rotated, means for limiting the upward movement of the bell on the shaft, and means be- IOO IIO

neath the bell r`for automatically imparting l movable supports for maintaining the carrotation to the main shaft at desired intervals, substantially as described.

6. In an acetylene-gas generator, a casing containing a body of Water, a rotatable bell arranged in the easing, means for intermittently imparting partial rotation to the bell, a desired number of carbid-holders located in juxtarelation side by side circumferentially around the interior of the casing at its upper end, each carbid-holder open at one end and with the open end normally supported under the bell above the body of water, means for supporting the carbid-holders individually, and means actuated by the partial rotation ofthe bell for automatically and successively releasingr the carbid-holders and permitting them to be submerged in the Water, substantially as described.

7. In an acetylene-gas generator, a casing containing a body of Water, a rotatable bell arranged in the casing, means for intermittently imparting partial rotation to the bell, a desired number of carbid-holders located in juxtarelation side by side circumferentially around the interior of the casing at its upper end, each carbid-holder open at one end and with the open end normally supported under the bell above the body of Water, a guiding- Well for each carbid-holder in which it is received and guided, each well containing a single carbid-holder, means for supporting the Vcarbid-holders individually in the wells, and means actuated by the partial rotation of the bell for automatically and successively releasing the carbid-holders and permitting them to be submerged in the Water, substantially as described.

8. In an acetylene-gas generator, a casing containing a body of Water, a bell arranged in the casing, a desired number of guiding- Wells Within the casing under the bell and eX- tending into the body of Water contained in the casin g, carbid-holders open at the top and slidably arranged in the wells With the active surface of the carbid in the holders above the surface of the Water, supports for maintaining the carbid-holders so arranged, a trigger device adapted to actuate the supports and release the carbid-holders, means for automatically operating the trigger device to permit the carbid-holders to be submerged 'in-the Water, and means for maintaining the carbid-holders when released and submerged in astationary upright position While the action of generation takes place, substantially as described.

9. In an acetylene-gas generator, a casing containing a body of water, a bell arranged in the casing, a desired number of circumferentially-disposed and perpendicularly-arranged guiding-wells Within the casingvunder the bell and extending into the body of water contained in the casing, carbid-holders open at the top and arranged in the Wells with the active surface of the carbid in the I holders above the surface of the Water, re-

bid holders so arranged, a trigger device adapted to actuate the supports and release the carbid-holders, a rotatable member adapted to successively engage the trigger devices and remove the supports and permit the carbid-holders to be submerged in the Water,

and means for automatically imparting rotation to the rotatable member at desired intervals, substantially as described. 10. In an acetylene-gas generator, a Waterchamber, a rotatable generator-bell arranged therein, a gas-generator chamber, a desired number of guiding-Wells circumferentially disposed and perpendicularly arranged Within the gas-chamber under the bell and extending into the body of the Water, carbidholders open at the top and slidably arranged in the wells With the active surface of the carbid in the holders above the surface of the Water, removable supports for maintainingv the carbid-holdersso arranged, a trigger device adapted to actuate the supports and release the carbid-holders, an engaging member carried by the rotatable bell adapted to successively engage the trigger devices and remove the supports and permit the carbidholders to be submerged in the Water, and means for automatically imparting rotation to the bell at desired intervals, substantially as described.

11. In an acetylene-gas generator, a desired number of guiding-Wells circumferentially disposed and perpendicularly arranged Within the gas-chamber and extending into the body of water, carbid-holders open at the top and slidably arranged in the Wells with the active surface of the carbid in the holders above the surface of the Water, movable supports for the carbid-holders, a rotatable bell arranged in the generator, means carried by the bell for actuating the movable supports of the carbid-holders, a main shaft on which the bell is mounted and by Which it may be rotated, and means for automatically imparting rotation to the main shaft at desired intervals, substantially as described.

12. In an acetylene-gas machine, a gas-generator having a generating-chamber containing a body of Water, a desired number of long and narrow carbid-holders arranged in the chamber, each holder presenting a small area in cross-section of exposed surface for the carbid and each formed of an 'imperforate body an open top and a closed and Weighted bottom and normally held With the open top above the surface of a body of Water in the generating-chamber, means for supporting each carbid-holder vertically in its normal position, a gasometer, means for conveying gas from the generating-chamber to the gasometer, and means automatically operated at a predetermined point of consumption of gas in the gasometer for releasing the carbidvholders from their raised position to permit them to descend and be assisted in their descent and submerged in the body of Water in IIO .sumption, and means for erator, a desired number of carbid-holders open at one end and with the open end'normally supported under the bell abovea body of water contained in the generator, means for supporting-the carbid-holders, a gasometer, means ior conveying gas f rom the generator to the gasometer, means for intermittently imparting partial rotations to the bell set intooperation when the gas in the gasometerreachesa predetermined point of conleasing the carbid holders and permitting them to be submerged in the water actuated by the partial rotation of the bell, substantially as described.

14. In an acetylene-gas generator, a carbidholder having an imperfo'rate body an open top and a closed and weighted bottom, with the body ot' greatly-increased length as compared with its width, forming an open-top closed chamber for receiving the carbid and held in a vertical position by the weighted bottom permitting the live carbid to be exposed to the action otl water from the top only with a small area ot' surface exposure, a generator-bell, and a well for the holder located beneath the generatorbell and having an open top and bottom and having the holder releasably supported in the upper portion of the well to descend therein when released and be maintained in perpendicular position `in its descent with the open top uppermost, substantially as described.

15. In an acetylene-gas generator, a generating-chamber partially filled with water, a vertical well within the generating-chamber having an open top and bottom for the admission of water to its interior from thebottom, and a carbid-holder having an imperforate body an open top and a closed bottom with the body of an increased length as compared with its width, forming an open-tcp closed chamber for receiving carbid and means for supporting the carbid-holder in the well with its bottom projecting` into the water of the well, the water to form a seal between the body of the holder and the wall of the well andprevent the downward flow of generated gas, substantially as described.

16. In an acetylene-gas generator, a generating-chamber partially filled with water, a vertical well within the generatingchamber having an open top and bottom for the admission of water to its interior from the bottom, a carbid-holder having an imperforate body an open top and closed bottom with its body of increased length as compared with its width, forming an open-top closed chamber for receiving carbid and inserted in the upper portion of the well, means for supporting the holder in `the well with its bottom projecting ajitomatically re` into the water ofthe well forming a water seal against the downward ilow of generated gas, and means forreleasing the holder to descend wherebythe gas first generated will pass to the bottom of the holder and iill the interstices between the particles of carbid in the holder substantially as described.

17. In an acetylene-gas generator,agenerating-chamber partially filled 'with water, a desired number ot' vertical wells within the generating-chamber, each provided with a hinged flap or cover for the top and each having` an open top and bottom for the admission of water toits interior from the bottom, a carbid-holder for each well, each' carbid-holder having an imperforate body an open top and a closed bottom with its body of an increased length as compared with its width, forming an open-top closed chamber for receiving carbid and inserted in the upper portion of its well, means forsupporting each carbid-holder in the upper portion of its well with its bottom projecting into the water of the well,I and means for releasing each holder from its raised position and permitting it to descend to the lower portion of the well and be submerged in the water therein, whereby the upward will remove the residuum and the hinged covers will prevent the discharge from entering the adjoining wells and protect the carbid of the holders therein from the injurious effect of the discharge, substantially as described.

18. In an acetylene-gas machine, the combination of a generator comprising an outer casing for water and provided with a bottom inclinin g toward the center, a pipe rising from the apex of the bottom and terminating beneath the gasometer-bell, a rotatable gasometer-bell removably mounted on an upright shaft and comprising anv outer casing and a central depending inner casing secured to the top and extending downward into thewater and forming a chamber around the upper end of the pipe, and a depending guide from the gasometer-bell surrounding the top ofthe central pipe for guiding the movements of the bell, substantially as described.

19. In an acetylene-gas machine, the combination'of an angle-iron rod arranged outside ot the gasorneter-casing and suspended in a vertical position from the gasometer-bell and having a slot through one of its anges and a pin on the other crossing in front of the slot, a ratchet-wheel, a pawl engaging the ratchet-wheel, a bent lever carryingthe pawl and having one arm double and thefdouble arm straddling the ratchetwheel and provided with a hole through the double arm for mounting the lever on the shaft of the ratchetwheel for a pivot to be engaged in action by the pin in the downward movement of the rod and swung downward on its pivot and to be and exert an upward pressurein the holder,

and be submerged inthe water of the well to permit the water to enter the holder at the top,

pressure ofthe gas through the confined space ICO IIO

engaged by the lower end of the slot in the rod in the upward movement of the rod and carried to its normal position when at rest, substantially as described.

20. In an acetylene-gas machine, a ratchetwheel mounted on a shaft and secured thereto, a bent lever having one arm double and the double arm straddling the ratchet-wheel 'and carrying a pawl to engage with the teeth of the ratchet-Wheel and advance the wheel when the lever is swung or turned downward, the double arm of the bent lever being provided with a hole between the end and the angle for mounting the lever on the shaft of the ratchet-wheel as a pivot, the ratchetwheel shaft extending horizontally to a point beneath the generator and provided with a beveled gear atits inner end, a vertical shaft extending upward through the generator Within a central pipe therein and adapted to engage at its upper end the bell of the generator so as to rotate the same, a beveled gear near the lower end of the vertical shaft to engage with the beVel-gearof the horizontal shaft for imparting rotation to the vertical shaft from the horizontal shaft, and a pawl l pivoted to a fixed point for preventing the ratchet-Wheel from turning back while the bent lever is being drawn to its initial position, substantially as described.

2l. In a gas-generator, the combination of a rotatable generator-bell having in its top a central hole for the passage of a main or driving shaft end, and a main or driving shaft for rotating the bell and on the upper end of which the bell is removably mounted to permit its withdrawal for recharging the generator, leaving the shaft in position in the generator, substantially as described.

rLAvEL snvroNsoN.Y

Witnesses:

BELLE W. BARRY, THOMAS B. MCGREGOR. 

